Uduak Okpo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dropped his senatorial aspiration for Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying the ex-governor is the best man for the job.
Speaking on Thursday, September 20, 2018 during a mobilization campaign for Senator Akpabio and President Muhammadu Buhari at Etim Ekpo local government area of the state, Okpo said Akpabio’s victory would unify and strengthen the APC in Akwa Ibom.
He advised members of the party to re-elect Akpabio for his second term and President Buhari to unite the party, adding the dislodgement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), government in the state was a task that needs to be accomplished.
Okpo, who contested for the federal House of Representatives for Abak/Etim Ekpo/ Ika federal constituency and the senate to represent Ikot Ekpene senatorial district in 2007 and 2014 respectively, said he won the party primary election but surrendered it during negotiation for the interest of the party.
“We have a formidable party now in Akwa Ibom capable of winning election. Therefore, we have to align with the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and President Muhammadu Buhari. Let us unite to fight our common enemy and win Akwa Ibom for the APC”, he advised.
Okpo appreciated the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the option of direct primaries as a means to enfranchise all card carrying members of the party to participate in the primary election.
He lamented that he was robbed of his victory in the past by the ruling PDP in the state and implored all members to shun divisive tendencies and embrace Akpabio despite all differences with APC when he was the governor of the state.
Okpo who is also the Akwa Ibom caucus member of the APC endorsed Precious Effiong as the aspirant for Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency in pursuance of 35 percent affirmative action for women by the APC and party members.
He castigated the previous delegate primary election where a few cabal took decision to nominate party flag bearers against the wish of party faithful.
